Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand on Tuesday in his long-running corruption trial, becoming the first sitting prime minister in the country's history to testify as a criminal defendant. Calling the allegations against him "absurd," Netanyahu promised to dismantle the prosecution's case while continuing to lead Israel during a tumultuous period of war and international scrutiny.
"I have waited eight years for this moment, to say the truth as I remember it, which is important for justice," Netanyahu declared from the witness stand in a fortified Tel Aviv courtroom. He said the charges are "a drop in the sea" compared to the challenges I have faced protecting this country.
Netanyahu, 75, faces charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in three separate cases. Among the accusations, prosecutors allege that Netanyahu accepted expensive gifts, including cigars and champagne, from wealthy benefactors in exchange for political favors. He is also accused of manipulating regulations to benefit media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage of himself and his family.
The Israeli leader has denied all wrongdoing, describing the charges as a politically motivated witch hunt orchestrated by a biased legal system and hostile media. "The Israeli police did not investigate a crime, but a person," Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, said during the opening testimony, likening the process to tactics used in "Russia or North Korea."
Netanyahu's testimony comes at a particularly delicate time for his leadership. His government is facing backlash over its handling of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. International criticism of Israel's military actions has grown, and Netanyahu, along with his former defense minister, faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Despite the gravity of the charges and the ongoing conflict, Netanyahu appeared confident, even defiant, as he addressed the court. He described himself as a tireless leader who works up to 18 hours a day and dismissed accusations of indulgence, saying he smoked cigars, but rarely finished them because of his workload, and hated champagne.
Netanyahu also used his testimony to frame himself as a victim of an overzealous judicial system while emphasizing his global significance as a statesman. "I am leading the country through a seven-front war. And I think the two can be done in parallel," he said, underscoring his dual roles as a defendant and national leader.
Outside the courthouse, tensions ran high as both supporters and opponents of Netanyahu gathered. Protesters held banners reading "Crime Minister," while families of hostages held in Gaza demanded more action from his government to bring their loved ones home.
Under Israeli law, a sitting prime minister is not required to step down while under indictment. However, the legal troubles have deepened divisions within the country, leading to political instability and five elections in less than four years. Critics argue that Netanyahu's focus on his trial could hinder his ability to manage the ongoing war and regional security challenges.
The trial, which began in 2020, has already featured testimony from 120 prosecution witnesses, including former Netanyahu aides who turned state witnesses. Prosecutors have painted the prime minister as an image-obsessed leader willing to bend the law for personal and political gain.
Netanyahu's legal team has requested accommodations to allow him to fulfill his duties as prime minister during the trial, including the ability to receive notes while testifying. The court rejected efforts to reduce the number of hours required for his testimony, which is expected to last several weeks.
